DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

October 9, 1999

Mr. Ron Gettelfinger
Vice President and Director
UAW, National Ford Department
8000 East Jefferson Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48214

Subject: Diversity in the Workplace

Diversity in the workplace was an important and recurring topic throughout numerous discussions between the Company and the Union during the 1999 negotiations. Workplace diversity encompasses all of the many differences that define employees as unique and valuable individuals, including but not limited to culture, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender, age, abilities, disabilities, opinions, religion, beliefs, union affiliation, education, experience, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, and family status. Although the concept of diversity highlights our differences as individuals, the true value of workplace diversity is that such differences can create a whole that is more than the sum of its components - a group of individuals whose collective strengths are derived from understanding, appreciating, and capitalizing on their particular personal attributes.
The parties share a vision of diversity in the workplace: an environment that promotes a culture which encourages every individual to contribute fully to the success of their workplace while achieving maximum personal fulfillment. The contributions - actual as well as potential - of all employees, regardless of differences, must be recognized, tapped, and appreciated. Such a harmonious environment will foster positive working relationships among all employees, thus allowing UAW-Ford people to succeed to the best of their abilities. Ultimately, this will result in a stronger Ford Motor Company, in turn leading to greater job security. But fundamentally, and perhaps most importantly, diversity is a matter of respect for the other human beings with whom we spend a significant portion of our lives - our co-workers. Union and Company leadership alike embrace this vision.
The Union and the Company have had a long and successful history of working together to understand and foster diversity in the workplace; nevertheless, it was mutually recognized that more remains to be done. To this end, the parties agreed to establish a National Joint Diversity Committee within 90 days of the ratification of the 1999 Collective Bargaining Agreement. This Committee will consist of six members, three identified by the UAW National Ford Department and three identified by the Company. One Union member and one Company member will be identified to serve as the joint Co-Chairs of the Committee. As its initial charter the National Joint Diversity Committee will assume responsibility for the following activities and initiatives:
  • Development of a training program to increase employee awareness of and promote constructive dialogue regarding diversity. This program will include sexual harassment and equal application issues as topics. It is envisioned that this program will be at least eight hours in length, to allow sufficient time for comprehensive presentations and discussions. The program's audience will include hourly employees and salaried employees as appropriate (e.g., supervisors, superintendents, human resources representatives, and plant management).
  • Oversight of delivery of the above diversity training program to all current and future UAW-represented employees at Ford locations, as well as all salaried employees of these locations.
  • Development and implementation of other programs and initiatives as deemed necessary to address diversity issues (e.g., refresher training for the above program as well as additional training and communication efforts).

UAW-Ford Joint Funds will be a source of support for these initiatives.
The National Joint Diversity Committee will meet as required to achieve timely progress on its initiatives. It is envisioned that meeting frequency will be at least quarterly. The Committee also will report periodically on its progress to the UAW National Ford Department and the Company's U.S. Union Affairs Office.


Very truly yours,

DENNIS J. CIRBES, Director
U.S. Union Affairs Office
Labor Affairs